Bailiffs help please

[namechange3567756]

Posting for traffic.

Can bailiffs take work tools and van that they have clamped outside the property? Van worth nothing, tools are "chippy" tools he needs for work. Citizens advice website says they can't take anything work tools wise under the value of £1500 but bailiff saying that is incorrect information on their website.

He also has mental health which they don't believe and are saying they will sit outside until he prove it. He can prove it but on via his gp which obviously can't be done in an hour.

Please advice would be great.

Will the debt go up while the bailiffs are at the property?
When does your DP next need his van and tools?
Is the debt related to a work contract?

No the debt isn't related to a work contract. He needed his van today but obviously hasn't been able to get to work this afternoon.

Dp is still trying to get hold of his ex

What on earth would he do in an emergency with his child to get in touch with her? How can it take 4+ hours to contact his ex wife? Has he rang her parents, her work, her relatives and or friends?

I am amazed the Bailiffs have hung about for 4 hours with no action!

In an emergency his parents would contact her. She would respond straight away in an emergency but for anything else she mostly ignores.

She won't speak to him at all. He's tried all sorts to get her to communicate with him but she refuses.

He said he's currently putting things up into his landlords flat (he lives above) which he doesn't want to lose with sentimental value and it sounds like he's going to let the bailiffs take their pick on the rest.

Ok, was going to say if it was work related then I assume they could use van and tools.

I know this isn't nice for him but he needs his van to work. Maybe he should just allow them to take tv etc. If he is getting money soon then he can replace.

If bailiffs are there, there is no fight especially if from high court. All he can do is work out what he is happier to live without...tv etc or work

You said the Bailiff's didn't believe him re his MH and wanted proof. If he raised it with the court several times, did he have written proof, not just his verbal say-so? If he does have that written proof, that can be shown to the Bailiffs.

Does he have court papers re the divorce settlement, showing amount he will be paid and when? If so, he can also show that to the Bailiffs.

The above then isn't all just on his say-so, which the Bailiffs will have heard numerous times before from others who have no intention of paying their debt.

You also said that he has run up £8k worth of debt elsewhere, is in his overdraft, can't pay bills so internet cut off, and has used up asking family for financial help due to them bailing him out before. There seems like there is a pattern here and not just this one debt that ha brought bailiffs to the door.

He needs help via a charity like StepChange who will help him manage his multiple debts and how to eventually live debt free and not keep repeating behaviour that will see him back in debt once he gets his lump sum.
www.stepchange.org

Bailiffs have disappeared but obviously will come back

She would respond straight away in an emergency but for anything else she mostly ignores

So maybe he should do this I think a high court bailiff constitutes an emergency!! Does the poor women even know she has a CCJ or is named on a high court writ!!

Have they left the clamp on van?

He said he's currently putting things up into his landlords flat (he lives above) which he doesn't want to lose with sentimental value

Errrm I am pretty sure that's not allowed as the Landlord is now impeding a high court writ. It doesn't work that way.

The other debt was a loan he got to pay his rent/bills when his health prevented him from working. He does need help and I intend to help him because I am extremely good with finance (I got myself out of £5000 debt in less than 2 years. I may just go through with him all his finances and help manage it. He's not a horrible guy, that's the thing. He is a decent bloke, he's just got himself in a right mess.

I presume so yes about the clamp

It does sound like he’s burying his head in the sand and making a lot of excuses which just won’t help now. Try and stop making excuses for him or listening to his excuses and get him to pull his finger out. MH issues or not, he is in this situation now.

His landlord won't know because he isn't occupying it at the moment, it's empty. My dp does work for him hence a key so will put it in the hallway until later when he can remove it to a friends house.

They haven't yet entered his property. Is that right?

Yes she does know and he has repeatedly asked her via parents if she wants the details but she ignores the offer for details and just says it can come out his settlement.

No they haven't entered yet. I think dp will let them though.

Shawshank the court never requested anything in writing about mh issues but I know they helped him fill out forms etc.

Do NOT let them in.

Sorry, I just read the 1st and last pages; will go and read the whole thread now but don't let them in.

Why not to let them in?

I think dp is so panicked now he's just removing things he doesn't want to loose and with sentimental attachment but said he doesn't care about the rest, they can have it. Sounds like he's given up on himself and said fuck it.

The bailiffs won't take the van if it has no value, because it costs them money to take it away and store it. For the same reason they won't bother with anything in the house of no resale value.
Your best course is to let them in and agree a monthly payment plan.

If I were him, I would remove any sentimental items and other important items to a place of safety. However, if he lets them they will be able to re-enter later, using force if necessary, so I believe they will then be able to seize new items, any items previously removed for safety etc. That is if the items currently in his flat won't cover the debt. I'd let them take the van, if you are sure the divorce settlement will be sorted soon he can replace his tools. Though I reckon they'll be back to ask for money from the divorce too so on second thoughts he should hold on to the van if he can.

Let them work for their pay.

Let them work for their pay.
Bad advice. The more they work, the more charges you will have to pay.